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Watch Buying Guide

Deciding on the best watch to buy can be harder than you’d anticipated. Whatever style or functionality you’re looking for, our Watch Buying Guide will give you all the information you need to show you how to buy a watch that’s exactly right for you.

WATCH PARTS

1. Watch Bezel

This is part of the case that surrounds the dial and may be plain or decorated with crystals or diamonds. Functionality can be increased with a rotating bezel or a GMT bezel, allowing elapsed time and even second time-zones to be measured.

2. Watch Crystal

The watch crystal provides protection for the dial and hands. Sapphire or mineral crystal are the most common varieties and, if optimal readability is important to you, look for crystal with an anti-reflective treatment.

3. Hour Markers

Whilst minimalist style watches may have no hour markers at all, the style of these functional markings will influence the overall look of your watch. Retro style numerals will lend an on-trend vintage edge, whilst a glamorous dress watch calls for diamond dots or classic Roman numerals.

4. Watch Dial

Whether you call it a dial or a watch face, here is where the artistry of watchmaking can really be appreciated. Intricate patterns or designs may be applied to create an individual style, or they can add a vibrant pop of colour like our striking blue dial watches.

5. Case Back

The seal which protects your watch’s movement, the case back can sometimes be a work of art in its own right. If you’re fascinated by your watch’s inner workings, opt for an exhibition case back which allows a glimpse inside its beating heart.

6. Sub-dials

A smaller dial which is placed on the main watch face, sub-dials are designed to provide you with additional information. Most commonly found on chronographs and multi-function watches, they can display elapsed time, alarms or the date.

7. Watch Case

The very essence of your watch, the watch case is the material that encloses the inner workings. Normally made from stainless steel, you can also find a variety of finishes such as gold or rose gold to suit your style perfectly. Discover more about choosing the perfect case size with our Watch Size Guide.

8. Watch Crown

Used to set the watch hands to the correct time, your watch will either have a push-down or a screw-down crown. Diving watches will usually feature a screw-down crown as it helps to preserve their water resistance.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONS

For situations when you need to do more than just tell the time, additional functions and features will ensure you have all the information you need at your fingertips. Known as ‘complications’ in watchmaking circles, simple complications include chronographs and alarms, which more advanced complications include perpetual calendars and worldtimers.

Alarm +

Programme your watch to make a noise at a pre-specified time to alert you of an event. Some watches have multiple alarm functions.

Chronograph +

A stopwatch function which allows you to accurately measure portions of time. This function is normally operated by two pushers on the side of the case, one which stops and resets the stopwatch and the other which starts it.

Chronometer +

A highly coveted title, a watch can only be called a chronometer if it passes rigorous testing. It must maintain high levels of accuracy whilst being tested in three temperatures and five positions for fifteen consecutive days.

Countdown Timer +

A particularly useful function for sports and sailing watches, a countdown timer allows you to determine how much of a preset time has elapsed.

GMT Function +

Designed to indicate two timezones simultaneously, your watch can be set to both the local and GMT time, allowing you to calculate the time anywhere in the world by adding or subtracting the right number of hours.

Moonphase +

Adding an old-world romance to any style, a moonphase indicator depicts the wax and wane of the moon over the course of each month.

Perpetual Calendar +

Extremely useful, a perpetual calendar will always indicate the correct day and month without any need for adjustment - even in a leap year.

Power Reserve +

Normally found on automatic watches, the power reserve indicator will show the length of time that a mechanical movement can run before being rewound.

Rotating Bezel +

Used to perform calculations, a unidirectional rotating bezel, for example, can be used to keep track of elapsed time and is particularly useful for tracking dive times.

Tachymeter +

Usually located on the bezel, a tachymeter scale can be used to calculate the average speed over a known distance.

Water Resistant +

Watches that are water resistant can withstand some amount of water and still work. Water resistancy varies between watches. Check out our guide to water resistancy here.

Worldtimer +

A different complication to a GMT watch, a worldtimer will allow you to tell the time of up to 24 different time zones.

MOVEMENTS

The beating heart of your watch, the movement is the mechanism that keeps track of time. There are essentially two options here; mechanical or quartz, each of which has their own distinctive characteristics.

Crystal Clear

An extremely precise movement, most quartz movements keep accurate time to within a few seconds per month. Powered by a battery which will need to be replaced periodically, these watches are regulated by a quartz crystal.

Mechanical Animals

Driven by the power of a coiled spring, you must wind your mechanical watch regularly in order to keep it ticking. Wonderfully traditional, mechanical movements are not as accurate as quartz movements and can gain or lose a few minutes over a month.

Automatic Pilot

The aspiration of any serious watch lover, an automatic watch keeps the romance of watchmaking alive. A mechanical movement which winds itself using kinetic energy, an automatic watch is a collection of hundreds of tiny, moving parts, painstakingly assembled by highly-skilled craftsmen.

WATER RESISTANCE

What Does Water Resistance Mean?

Water resistance is the ability of a watch to withstand water pressure. The level of water resistance is measured in meters (m) and atmospheres (ATM).

To confuse matters, whilst a watch with a water resistance of 30m may be able to resist the pressure equivalent to a depth of 30m, it’s important to note that a watch’s water resistance is tested when static. In reality, when you wear your watch for swimming or diving, your movement will create pressures higher than 30m, even whilst swimming at the surface.

Is My Watch Water Resistant?

The water resistance of your watch can normally be found in a couple of places. Sometimes it will be displayed on the dial but, if not, it can be found on or around the case back. The level of water resistance can be marked in either meters or atmospheres, or sometimes both.

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Metres

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WATCH STRAPS

An often overlooked consideration when choosing a watch, the type of watch strap will have a huge effect on your aesthetic. If cool, urban style is what you’re after then a metal bracelet is the way to go but, if your look is more smart-casual perhaps a leather strap is the best option for you.

1. Metal Bracelet

Giving a satisfying weight to your watch, whether you go for stainless steel, gold or a mixture of the two, a metal bracelet creates a statement style. Read our watch size guide for more information.

5. Milanese

6. Ceramic

High-tech and ultra-lightweight, a ceramic strap is a stylish and comfortable choice. Ceramic straps have extremely high scratch resistance, however it’s much less resistant to shattering so care needs to be taken to not drop your watch on a hard floor.

WATCH MATERIALS

Stainless Steel

The most popular metal for a watch, stainless steel is tough, durable and able to cope with most of your challenges. Creating a sleek and contemporary style, a stainless steel watch will look as good in the boardroom as it will in the great outdoors.

Gold

Bi-metal

A stand-out combination of gold and stainless steel, a bi-metal watch is the perfect option for versatile style. Looking chic and sophisticated in the office, it can also lend a cosmopolitan edge to even the most rugged watch.

Ceramic

BUDGET

How Much Do You Want To Spend?

Deciding your budget will largely depend on what kind of watch you’re looking for. For example, a Swiss Made, automatic watch is a precisely engineered mechanical object and is extraordinarily labour-intensive to make. This level of craftsmanship will be reflected in the price tag which can stretch to many thousands.

Watches Under £200

Just because you’re not spending thousands on a watch, doesn’t mean you won’t get a decent piece of wristwear. Some of the best watches under £200 include pieces from the big fashion brands which will ensure you’re always at the cutting-edge of style.

Watches Under £1000

With this amount to spend you’ll be able to choose from luxury watch brands and even some Swiss automatic movements. Watches from TAG Heuer, Gucci and Longines stand out as some of the best watches under £1000.

Watches Under £3000

If you’re making your first serious horological investment, choosing a watch in this price category will enable you to get your hands on some of the most respected names in Swiss watchmaking. The choice of style and function is vast here, so narrow down your choice by deciding what features you can’t live without.

Watches Over £3000

Now we’re really in the watch of a lifetime territory. Sometimes taking months of time-honoured Swiss craftsmanship to create just one watch, these timepieces are an investment in the traditional art of watchmaking. Choose from exclusive movements, Limited Editions and must-have collectors pieces.